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There is still no word on Mazda’s plans for the Indian market but their softroader, the CX-5 has already been seen testing in India and we could expect a possible launch either by the end of 2013 or in 2014. Mazda though would be looking at their hatchback like the Mazda 2 to really be the volume generator for the manufacturer in India and another potentially successful addition could be the CX-3 which is a mini SUV built on the Mazda 2. This mini SUV is an international product and is designed and engineered to take on the Ford EcoSport , Nissan Juke and the Renault Duster and is expected to be launched globally by 2014. A Mazda spokesman was quoted by CarAdvice Australia magazine saying ‘We are now developing a more compact SUV more for Europe and we must imagine emerging markets … Eastern Europe, South America, India….’ ‘It is common sense. We have to develop this vehicle, whether we call it CX-2, CX-3 or CX-4.’ ‘Mazda is a smaller player. Picking the right model to build is very important. What is small? What is the right product for emerging countries/markets?’ ‘We are not Toyota , not Ford, not Hyundai, not Volkswagen … we are Mazda. We believe the smaller the better (for vehicles),’ he further added.

What we need in our market are cars that provide a bit more than practicality. Sure we have cars like the Kia Picanto in the list our nominated cars but the entry of Kia will really spice up things. The Indian customers who is still as price conscious as he was 5 years ago is looking for a bit more than ‘practicality’ but doesn’t want to pay a fortune for that. We have listed 8 cars which we think could be India bound next year and all of which we think would add value to the market. Some of them have been already seen testing in the market while the others we think have definite potential. 2013 nevertheless would be an exciting year if you are an auto enthusiast and you can bet on there being surprises on the way.

The Mazda CX-5 has been already reviewed which we believe will be the first Mazda to come into India. The soft roader has been a big success in the US and another vehicle which the manufacturer might consider bringing to build an image for itself is the Mazda 6 sedan which internationally competes with the Volkswagen Passat , Skoda Superb and the Hyundai Sonata. The 2013 version of the sedan gets changes to the exteriors and interiors. This segment in India already has its share of competitors and for a company in evolution, which is what Mazda is going through after it split form Ford in 2010, the Mazda 6 is not only an important car in the Indian context, but internationally too. If launched, prices would start from upwards of 20lakhs.

Our only connection toMazda in India at the moment is their trucks but the Japanese manufacturer it is believed is intent on changing that. The CX 5 has been spotted being tested in India and if the rumours are to believed that Mazda is eying India, the idea behind getting the CX 5 would be to create a premium brand image for the brand before they start to get their smaller cars that are more suited to our market. The Mazda 2 is the cheapest car from Mazda and has been awarded the European Car of the Year. First introduced in 2007, on sale is the second generation Mazda 2 and the hatch is based on the Ford Fiesta. In India it would enter an extremely competitive segment which is currently dominated by theMaruti Suzuki Swift . Mazda is known to engineer stylish and well packaged cars that provide value and are dynamically strong as well.

It could well be that Mazda is only testing waters but the fact is that the CX-5 has been caught testing in India earlier this year and this have led to people speculate that there is a possibility that Mazda could be considering entering the Indian market. The car that it’s chosen for its launch in India, the CX-5 was first displayed at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and was launched internationally only this year. The CX-5 sits below the CX-7 in the Mazda line-up which is the most premium car offered by Mazda. Considering that the CX-5 is brought into India as a CBU, prices would be around 25lakhs which would put it in the category of the Honda CR-V , the Nissan X-trail and the rest. The premium CX-5 is a logical vehicle for Mazda to enter the Indian market as it would help the manufacturer to be recognized as an upmarket player.